The Lord’s Work – Part 12
The reprobate can APPEAR righteous. INDEED!
Matthew 23:27-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
It’s acting! Acting! Pretending. Galaxy Quest. In its simplest terms: Lying. Its all fake.
They LOOK good. They do their works such that they LOOK good.
If something looks good/real, but it IS NOT good/real, what is it called? FAKE. Reprobate.
Why do we act? Why do we have actors? Why do we have movies?
Matthew 23:2-5 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Jesus says to NOT do after their works.. But yet, the whole world IS doing after their works, are they not? The whole world, all the lost, all those false prophets and all those false Christians that follow the false prophets do the same things. They do after their works. The religious leaders tell us to do good works. And they LOOK like they do those good works. And the whole world tries to emulate them.
“Our works define us” they say. And men think, “if I do good, then I must be good.” And so men strive to look good.
“What I do defines what I am” they say. Rather,
1 – Its not what you do that defines what you are. Its what you are that defines what you do. (carnal, evil, flesh, spy, etc.)
2 – What you produce defines what you are. And what you are defines what you produce.
The righteous is a tree of life. And the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.
Fruit. Good or bad tree = Good or bad fruit. But fruit is very hard to see/know, in the dark, when the sun is not yet risen.
“Our works define us” they say. But, as they haven’t divided flesh from spirit, the true and heavenly from the natural of this carnal world, they have “defined” themselves as evil!! They’ve defined themselves by evil works, works of the flesh, the same works that the Pharisees do.
What do I mean? Well, they say, “what a man does shows what he is. If a man does good, he is good, and if a man does evil, he is evil.” Well, then… Do they not do evil? Then they have defined themselves as evil!
“Oh, but we also do good.” No, you don’t! You can’t! As we have seen and will see again, the works of the flesh are evil. The works of the flesh are FAKE, fraudulent, counterfeit, reprobate. Don’t do after those works.
–
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men…
It may sound like its about their motivation, but I don’t think so.
Its not about the motivation. Its not about the intention. They believe they are doing their works in the name of the Lord (they say, Lord, Lord!).
It’s the result. They think its for the Lord, but they are doing it only to APPEAR righteous unto men. Not because their motivation is less than pure (though it may be). But rather, they do them to be seen of men, because that is all they CAN do. Works to be seen of men.
They aren’t righteous, so they can’t appear righteous to God. They can only appear righteous to men.
They aren’t alive spiritually, so they can’t work good in the Spirit. They can only work good before men.
They are carnal, their works are carnal, and they done for to be seen of carnal eyes.
They can’t do good works, so they can’t appear to “worketh good” to God. They can only appear to “worketh good” to men.
They aren’t righteous, but they can appear righteous (indeed) unto men.
“All their works they do are for TO BE SEEN OF MEN”, and indeed they “outwardly appear righteous UNTO MEN”. It’s not about the motivation. It’s all about men’s eyes.
They appear righteous to men. They appear righteous among men. They appear righteous unto themselves (being men). Everything they do, they do, to be seen of men. This is ALL that the false prophets do. And this is ALL that men can do.
Man is their measuring stick. Man is their measuring cup. The works of the flesh are their substance. They strive to fill up the cup with their substance. To clothe themselves with works. They are trying to prove themselves by works. “If I can just do enough good. If I can just fill up the cup.” Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers!
Matthew 23:29-32 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Oh, not us! That’s not who we are! We wouldn’t do those evil things. We aren’t wicked sinners. We don’t reject the word of the Lord! We love it! Our works are good! We do good works for the Lord and in His name! Our works witness for us! Watch us fill up the cup!
This is what the Pharisees said about their fathers, and its what men today say about the Pharisees. But of course you would do what they did. Their father is your father.
Your works don’t witness for you. Instead they witness against you. To men your works look good. But to God, your works show what you are: carnal, fake, evil. Fill ye up the cup.
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men…
This is NOT about their motivation. (Or at least not just about it.) How do I know that?
Because their motivation was not the issue.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not … in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
If I may be so bold…
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, … you … work iniquity.
Their wonderful works, done with good and right motivation in the name of the Lord, are iniquity.
It’s not the motivation that makes the works iniquity. Its not the motivation that makes all the works “for to be seen of men”.
—
John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
It’s not the motivation… How do I know that? Because the Lord says so: they truly think that they are doing God service!
In killing those that tell them the truth, they think they are doing the right thing.
In working against God, they think they are serving Him.
In going the wrong way, they think they are going the right way.
They think they are doing good works, sincerely motivated for the Lord.
It is NOT about the motivation!! The Jews thought they were doing God service. What were they really doing? KILLING His Son, and killing His disciples, prophets and messengers. All this, in His name!!
The false prophets prophesy IN HIS NAME!
Jeremiah 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, … they prophesy unto you a false vision … and the deceit of their heart.
It is NOT about the motivation!! It’s not about whether they were sincerely doing them for the Lord or doing them to receive praise of men. It’s about the fruit. Its about the truth. It’s about the true. What comes out of them is either true or false. Its about whether the works are done in truth. It’s about whether they have understanding/knowledge/wisdom, or they are deceived.
Romans 10:1-3 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
It’s not about the motivation! They believe they are doing their works for the Lord. And they are, zealously!
But they are missing knowledge: the truth. They are not working according to truth, but rather according to a pattern of the truth. Counterfeit! They are working to establish their own righteousness, among mankind.
If good works are not done IN TRUTH, IN SPIRIT, IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE, then no matter the motivation, they are done ONLY to be seen of men.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
The reprobate appears righteous unto men. He appear so, because that is all that he has been taught to do, that’s all he can do, and that’s exactly what he is trying to do. That is the truth of it, no matter the motivation.
You cannot justify yourself before the Lord by your works! They may be highly esteemed here, even in churches, but to the Lord they are fake.. they are abomination to the Lord.
They come forth of an evil heart, and everything that comes forth of an evil heart is evil. Guaranteed.
Satan knows this. He knows that when you do good works in the flesh you are justifying yourself before men. That’s why he loves for an unsaved man to “make a real heart change” to “give his life to Christ”. To promise to live for the Lord each day, and to do it zealously! He wants you to justify yourself by works… knowing that you are justifying yourself in the flesh, which is not before God, but before men.
—
Satan knows that when you, being unjust, justify yourself, you are condemning the just.
Job 40:8 … wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
There is none righteous, no not one. There is none good but one, that is God.
So if you make yourself righteous outside of being in God, in Christ by birth, you’ve attempted to condemn God. If you make yourself righteous, outside of His mercy alone, you’ve attempted to condemn God.
And this makes sense, right? Satan is our father. Men are doing the same thing he is doing. His whole goal is to justify himself and to condemn the Lord in the sight of men and of angels. How else can Satan be preserved from judgment than to condemn the Lord, that he can be righteous.
It’s not about the motivation. They are passionately working for the Lord. And yet of them He says..
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: …
If the Pharisees didn’t do anything for the Lord in truth, then how can you!?!
Yes, this is a scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees. But let’s not forget, those were the very best, the most righteous of mankind! Are you better than they?
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
They were as righteous as men can be. They were as righteous as the law can make you. But if you are to save yourself, you have to be more righteous than they? Are you?
Does your righteousness exceed their righteousness? Are you better than they? Are your works truer? Is your motivation cleaner? You think so? Yes, you do? … Exactly! That is EXACTLY what Satan wants you to think! To think you are better than the wicked. Think you are better than the reprobates. To think you are more true, to think you are less fake.
“Though all men should deny thee, yet not I”, Peter said. Maybe Peter, but not me.
But you are no less fake. Your motivation is no more pure, and your resolve is no more strong.
The Pharisees aren’t gone. The circumcision according to the flesh is not gone. Their doctrine is very much alive today. It’s the whole world’s doctrine. Its their father’s doctrine. Do. Work. Don’t stop until you’ve filled the cup! Don’t ever stop! They look righteous.. but only to men.
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: …
ALL their works. Not some, most, or a lot.
But, but, but… what about… how can you say that…
I didn’t say it… The Lord did! ALL their works they do to be seen of men.
This is spoken of the best and most devoted of mankind! This is spoken of the workers!
They were circumcised, they offered, they tithed, they fasted, they observed the Sabbath, they prayed, they heard preaching, they read the Bible, they believed the Bible, they believed in God.
Are you better? Is your righteousness more? … You say, “well yeah but they also were selfish and envious and self-righteous and prideful, and they were liars and evil schemers”…..Exactly! That is EXACTLY what Satan wants you to think! To think you, who doest the same things as the wicked, are just and righteous, and your works are good and true. Think that you are better, or that you can be better than the best of mankind! To think that you aren’t an evil schemer. To think that if you were put in a position of power and that position was threatened that you would not do evil to the innocent.
David in Psalms says, “for in thy [The Lord’s] sight shall no man living be justified.”
Job says, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me.”
Ezekiel says that if a man “trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but … he shall die for it”
That is the old system, the temporary one. The one that was done away, being fulfilled in Christ. That is the law. If you justify yourself, you are under the law. And if you are under the law, you’re not under grace.
Paul says in Galatians, “Whosoever of you are justified by the law ye are fallen from grace.”
Paul says in Romans “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.”
Satan knows all of this. Satan wants you to think your earthly works are good, TRUE good. He wants you to think you deserve a heavenly reward! In so justifying yourself, you have fallen from grace.
Oct 12 2020
The Lord’s Work – Part 12
Downloadable Word document:
The Lord’s Work – Part 12
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The Lord’s Work – Part 12
The reprobate can APPEAR righteous. INDEED!
Matthew 23:27-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
It’s acting! Acting! Pretending. Galaxy Quest. In its simplest terms: Lying. Its all fake.
They LOOK good. They do their works such that they LOOK good.
If something looks good/real, but it IS NOT good/real, what is it called? FAKE. Reprobate.
Why do we act? Why do we have actors? Why do we have movies?
Matthew 23:2-5 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Jesus says to NOT do after their works.. But yet, the whole world IS doing after their works, are they not? The whole world, all the lost, all those false prophets and all those false Christians that follow the false prophets do the same things. They do after their works. The religious leaders tell us to do good works. And they LOOK like they do those good works. And the whole world tries to emulate them.
“Our works define us” they say. And men think, “if I do good, then I must be good.” And so men strive to look good.
“What I do defines what I am” they say. Rather,
1 – Its not what you do that defines what you are. Its what you are that defines what you do. (carnal, evil, flesh, spy, etc.)
2 – What you produce defines what you are. And what you are defines what you produce.
The righteous is a tree of life. And the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.
Fruit. Good or bad tree = Good or bad fruit. But fruit is very hard to see/know, in the dark, when the sun is not yet risen.
“Our works define us” they say. But, as they haven’t divided flesh from spirit, the true and heavenly from the natural of this carnal world, they have “defined” themselves as evil!! They’ve defined themselves by evil works, works of the flesh, the same works that the Pharisees do.
What do I mean? Well, they say, “what a man does shows what he is. If a man does good, he is good, and if a man does evil, he is evil.” Well, then… Do they not do evil? Then they have defined themselves as evil!
“Oh, but we also do good.” No, you don’t! You can’t! As we have seen and will see again, the works of the flesh are evil. The works of the flesh are FAKE, fraudulent, counterfeit, reprobate. Don’t do after those works.
–
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men…
It may sound like its about their motivation, but I don’t think so.
Its not about the motivation. Its not about the intention. They believe they are doing their works in the name of the Lord (they say, Lord, Lord!).
It’s the result. They think its for the Lord, but they are doing it only to APPEAR righteous unto men. Not because their motivation is less than pure (though it may be). But rather, they do them to be seen of men, because that is all they CAN do. Works to be seen of men.
They aren’t righteous, so they can’t appear righteous to God. They can only appear righteous to men.
They aren’t alive spiritually, so they can’t work good in the Spirit. They can only work good before men.
They are carnal, their works are carnal, and they done for to be seen of carnal eyes.
They can’t do good works, so they can’t appear to “worketh good” to God. They can only appear to “worketh good” to men.
They aren’t righteous, but they can appear righteous (indeed) unto men.
“All their works they do are for TO BE SEEN OF MEN”, and indeed they “outwardly appear righteous UNTO MEN”. It’s not about the motivation. It’s all about men’s eyes.
They appear righteous to men. They appear righteous among men. They appear righteous unto themselves (being men). Everything they do, they do, to be seen of men. This is ALL that the false prophets do. And this is ALL that men can do.
Man is their measuring stick. Man is their measuring cup. The works of the flesh are their substance. They strive to fill up the cup with their substance. To clothe themselves with works. They are trying to prove themselves by works. “If I can just do enough good. If I can just fill up the cup.” Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers!
Matthew 23:29-32 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Oh, not us! That’s not who we are! We wouldn’t do those evil things. We aren’t wicked sinners. We don’t reject the word of the Lord! We love it! Our works are good! We do good works for the Lord and in His name! Our works witness for us! Watch us fill up the cup!
This is what the Pharisees said about their fathers, and its what men today say about the Pharisees. But of course you would do what they did. Their father is your father.
Your works don’t witness for you. Instead they witness against you. To men your works look good. But to God, your works show what you are: carnal, fake, evil. Fill ye up the cup.
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men…
This is NOT about their motivation. (Or at least not just about it.) How do I know that?
Because their motivation was not the issue.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not … in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
If I may be so bold…
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, … you … work iniquity.
Their wonderful works, done with good and right motivation in the name of the Lord, are iniquity.
It’s not the motivation that makes the works iniquity. Its not the motivation that makes all the works “for to be seen of men”.
—
John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
It’s not the motivation… How do I know that? Because the Lord says so: they truly think that they are doing God service!
In killing those that tell them the truth, they think they are doing the right thing.
In working against God, they think they are serving Him.
In going the wrong way, they think they are going the right way.
They think they are doing good works, sincerely motivated for the Lord.
It is NOT about the motivation!! The Jews thought they were doing God service. What were they really doing? KILLING His Son, and killing His disciples, prophets and messengers. All this, in His name!!
The false prophets prophesy IN HIS NAME!
Jeremiah 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, … they prophesy unto you a false vision … and the deceit of their heart.
It is NOT about the motivation!! It’s not about whether they were sincerely doing them for the Lord or doing them to receive praise of men. It’s about the fruit. Its about the truth. It’s about the true. What comes out of them is either true or false. Its about whether the works are done in truth. It’s about whether they have understanding/knowledge/wisdom, or they are deceived.
Romans 10:1-3 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
It’s not about the motivation! They believe they are doing their works for the Lord. And they are, zealously!
But they are missing knowledge: the truth. They are not working according to truth, but rather according to a pattern of the truth. Counterfeit! They are working to establish their own righteousness, among mankind.
If good works are not done IN TRUTH, IN SPIRIT, IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE, then no matter the motivation, they are done ONLY to be seen of men.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
The reprobate appears righteous unto men. He appear so, because that is all that he has been taught to do, that’s all he can do, and that’s exactly what he is trying to do. That is the truth of it, no matter the motivation.
You cannot justify yourself before the Lord by your works! They may be highly esteemed here, even in churches, but to the Lord they are fake.. they are abomination to the Lord.
They come forth of an evil heart, and everything that comes forth of an evil heart is evil. Guaranteed.
Satan knows this. He knows that when you do good works in the flesh you are justifying yourself before men. That’s why he loves for an unsaved man to “make a real heart change” to “give his life to Christ”. To promise to live for the Lord each day, and to do it zealously! He wants you to justify yourself by works… knowing that you are justifying yourself in the flesh, which is not before God, but before men.
—
Satan knows that when you, being unjust, justify yourself, you are condemning the just.
Job 40:8 … wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
There is none righteous, no not one. There is none good but one, that is God.
So if you make yourself righteous outside of being in God, in Christ by birth, you’ve attempted to condemn God. If you make yourself righteous, outside of His mercy alone, you’ve attempted to condemn God.
And this makes sense, right? Satan is our father. Men are doing the same thing he is doing. His whole goal is to justify himself and to condemn the Lord in the sight of men and of angels. How else can Satan be preserved from judgment than to condemn the Lord, that he can be righteous.
It’s not about the motivation. They are passionately working for the Lord. And yet of them He says..
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: …
If the Pharisees didn’t do anything for the Lord in truth, then how can you!?!
Yes, this is a scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees. But let’s not forget, those were the very best, the most righteous of mankind! Are you better than they?
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
They were as righteous as men can be. They were as righteous as the law can make you. But if you are to save yourself, you have to be more righteous than they? Are you?
Does your righteousness exceed their righteousness? Are you better than they? Are your works truer? Is your motivation cleaner? You think so? Yes, you do? … Exactly! That is EXACTLY what Satan wants you to think! To think you are better than the wicked. Think you are better than the reprobates. To think you are more true, to think you are less fake.
“Though all men should deny thee, yet not I”, Peter said. Maybe Peter, but not me.
But you are no less fake. Your motivation is no more pure, and your resolve is no more strong.
The Pharisees aren’t gone. The circumcision according to the flesh is not gone. Their doctrine is very much alive today. It’s the whole world’s doctrine. Its their father’s doctrine. Do. Work. Don’t stop until you’ve filled the cup! Don’t ever stop! They look righteous.. but only to men.
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: …
ALL their works. Not some, most, or a lot.
But, but, but… what about… how can you say that…
I didn’t say it… The Lord did! ALL their works they do to be seen of men.
This is spoken of the best and most devoted of mankind! This is spoken of the workers!
They were circumcised, they offered, they tithed, they fasted, they observed the Sabbath, they prayed, they heard preaching, they read the Bible, they believed the Bible, they believed in God.
Are you better? Is your righteousness more? … You say, “well yeah but they also were selfish and envious and self-righteous and prideful, and they were liars and evil schemers”…..Exactly! That is EXACTLY what Satan wants you to think! To think you, who doest the same things as the wicked, are just and righteous, and your works are good and true. Think that you are better, or that you can be better than the best of mankind! To think that you aren’t an evil schemer. To think that if you were put in a position of power and that position was threatened that you would not do evil to the innocent.
David in Psalms says, “for in thy [The Lord’s] sight shall no man living be justified.”
Job says, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me.”
Ezekiel says that if a man “trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but … he shall die for it”
That is the old system, the temporary one. The one that was done away, being fulfilled in Christ. That is the law. If you justify yourself, you are under the law. And if you are under the law, you’re not under grace.
Paul says in Galatians, “Whosoever of you are justified by the law ye are fallen from grace.”
Paul says in Romans “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.”
Satan knows all of this. Satan wants you to think your earthly works are good, TRUE good. He wants you to think you deserve a heavenly reward! In so justifying yourself, you have fallen from grace.
By Pastor • Individual Lessons, Salvation • 0